I got AWD since I live in Canada and since I snowboard. Going to the mountains, AWD with winter tires will be "easy" drive. I know some ppl with the "i" with winter tires and they still have hard time driving in the mountains. But thats only when going snowboarding, you have to think of everyday use.

*This seems out of line, but is what is listed on BMWUSA.com and unnecessary in the following %change calculations

Aside from the steering feel, which to me was obvious, these differences are not great, as for...

...Sedans there is ~6.5% deviation in weight and ~5.9/6.1% deviation in distribution
...Coupes there is ~5.6% deviation in weight and ~3.7/4.3% deviation in distribution

These figures are not great, but exist and are quantifiable. The E90 335i 6MT has the best weight distribution, and the E92 335i 6MT is the lightest. These are the two one would expect to handle best. However, handling is very a subjective matter, and the increased grip of xDrive very well could translate into quicker acceleration and higher cornering speeds, at the expense of braking.

This is just an attempt to introduce some cited objectivity into the discussion. I purposely chose numbers that are unable to be influenced by external factors such as gas, driver, tires, conditions, and other nuances. These numbers also support my subjective observation that I preferred the handling characteristics of an E90 335i over those of the E90 335i xDrive (ZSP) and E92 335i xDrive (non ZSP), both of which I've gotten as loaner vehicles. I am not saying xDrive sucks and that no one should buy it. Just that I posted my opinion, it was ridiculed and supposedly supported by objective evidence which turned out to be unverifiable.

*This seems out of line, but is what is listed on BMWUSA.com and unnecessary in the following %change calculations

Aside from the steering feel, which to me was obvious, these differences are not great, as for...

...Sedans there is ~6.5% deviation in weight and ~5.9/6.1% deviation in distribution
...Coupes there is ~5.6% deviation in weight and ~3.7/4.3% deviation in distribution

These figures are not great, but exist and are quantifiable. The E90 335i 6MT has the best weight distribution, and the E92 335i 6MT is the lightest. These are the two one would expect to handle best. However, handling is very a subjective matter, and the increased grip of xDrive very well could translate into quicker acceleration and higher cornering speeds, at the expense of braking.

This is just an attempt to introduce some cited objectivity into the discussion. I purposely chose numbers that are unable to be influenced by external factors such as gas, driver, tires, conditions, and other nuances. These numbers also support my subjective observation that I preferred the handling characteristics of an E90 335i over those of the E90 335i xDrive (ZSP) and E92 335i xDrive (non ZSP), both of which I've gotten as loaner vehicles. I am not saying xDrive sucks and that no one should buy it. Just that I posted my opinion, it was ridiculed and supposedly supported by objective evidence which turned out to be unverifiable.

what about he 100% increase in traction that xdrive offers. That's also quantifiable.

what about he 100% increase in traction that xdrive offers. That's also quantifiable.

Traction depends just as much on conditions and tire selections as it does the number of drive wheels. Your 100% increase, which I'm assuming you arrived at by simply calculating the percent change from 2 to 4 drive wheels, is correctly stated as just that - the xDrive has a 100% increase in the number of drive wheels. This says nothing about how it this increase in the number of drive wheels translates into the cars ability to change direction.

Handling is not simply a case of more grip or higher speed is better. A faster lap time does not mean a car handles better. It means it sustains a higher average speed around that particular track. Handling is very much about how a car does something rather than how quickly it does something. I chose weight figures because they are hard figures and are commonly accepted indicators to the desirability of a particular cars handling.

I agree tires are crucial.....so I guess you have 4 separate sets of tires that you change each morning depending on the temperature or if it is dry or wet

There are summer performance tires with both excellent dry and wet traction. The same exists for winter tires for dry and snowy conditions. For dry conditions, temperature is just as much a factor as the threat of snow. I can't remember it off the top of my head but I believe the time to switch to winter rubber when temperatures will sustain in the mid to high 30s (Fahrenheit) and below. Maybe I'm being overtly simplistic, but this is how many have arrived at a simple 2 set system.

Summer performance for (depending on location) mid-March through mid-November
Winter/snow for mid-November through mid-March

Would having a dedicated set for warm dry, warm wet, cold dry, and cold wet offer better traction? Yes, but most consider this to be overkill. While the line is less defined in the i/xi debate, there are many who think xDrive is overkill for what they want their car to do, and the perceived negatives outweigh the aggregate increase in grip. It's simple cost-benefit and it's subjective to what one prefers in the overall driving experience.

If you want the sports suspension, you need to get the RWD version. You can't get it with x-drive, even with the M-Sport package.

yeah i want the sports the suspension. but idk if i want the coupe or the sedan i got my mind set on the 335i over the xi. but are there any other differences besides the 2 doors? i also want the m-sport package also.

So there's only 22lbs difference in weight between the e92 i and xi ? I thought there was more (like 200lbs).

I wanted just the i, but 2011 e92 i does not have the MSport option up here in Canada, only for the xi.

However, driving in the rain was great with the xDrive, so no regrets.

If you'll note the asterisk I did mention that the weight for the E92xi MT does not seem to be in line with the rest of the numbers. It is however what is reported on BMW's website. Looking at the difference between E92 AT i/xi at 177lbs seems to be more in line with the rest of the weight differences for the E90 chassis